Gates remained locked and the production facility dark this week at Atagi Water. The bottling plant, once hailed as the town of Autaugaville's salvation, has been closed since early November.

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Harry Walker said when he started bottling and distributing mineral-laced water from local aquifers that God sent him to help save the community. He was met with open arms by most, and he was designated by some as the potential savior of a rural community of about 1,100 that was struggling to hold onto its incorporated identity.

A year later, including four successive months of plant inactivity, several of those who held the businessman and former New Jersey resident in the highest esteem have become Doubting Thomases.

"I have no idea what's going on out there," Autauga County Commissioner ...